On Wednesday, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer civil rights organization, announced a "friend of the court" brief signed by 76 major U.S. companies supporting Jameka Evans, Evans v. Georgia Regional Hospital, in her efforts to ask the Supreme Court of the United States to hear her case. Evans was harassed in the workplace and fired from her job as a hospital security officer because of her sexual orientation. Lambda Legal is seeking a nationwide ruling affirming that sexual orientation discrimination violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.

"These companies are sending a powerful message to LGBTQ workers and their families that America's leading businesses believe in equality," said HRC Legal Director Sarah Warbelow. "Across the country, corporate leaders are speaking out because they know attacking LGBTQ employees isn't just shameful -- it also puts the families of their employees and customers at risk. LGBTQ people like Jameka are entitled to the full protection of the law, and must be affirmed, respected and protected in their workplace and beyond."

HRC joined with Lambda Legal, who are representing Evans, Freedom For All Americans and Out Leadership in organizing the amicus brief.

Leading American businesses have long expressed a commitment to LGBTQ diversity and inclusion in their workforces as evidenced by inclusive policies, practices, and benefits. Businesses realize being inclusive is not only the right thing to do -- it just makes good business sense as well. Companies that are inclusive of LGBTQ people and employees with LGBTQ family members are able to attract and retain the best and brightest across a wide spectrum of diversity, reap the benefits from increased engagement and productivity, and actively participate in the vibrant LGBTQ consumer marketplace.

The 76 companies, representing over 1.1 million employees and $678 billion in revenue, signing the brief are: